Manifold



Feb. 21, 1933. T. J FOWLER 1,898,825

MANIFOLD Filed May 2.8, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l 3 I 2| q 36 so\ g m. v j H.

42 (J Th J u-... i

Feb. 21, 1933. v J FOWLER 1,898,825

MANIFOLD? Filed May 28, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l2 IS '50 H avwemboz Patented Feb. 21, 1933 PATENT @FFHQE THOMAS J. FOWLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOTS MANIFOLD Application filed May 28,

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus, and more particularly toa combination intake and exhaust manifold for use with apparatus having a plurality of compressor cylinders.

The invention provides a manifold in which the low pressure gases are circulated in proximity to the compressed gases whereby an interchange of. heat takes place thereby cooling the compressed gases and raising the temperature of the low pressure gases. The invention is particularly applicable to a refrigerating system in which a plurality ofcompressor cylinders are associated with the same high pressure and low pressure lines. The manifold, however, may be ap plied to other uses which will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

The invention also consistsin certain new and original features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation and the manner of its organization may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a manifold and valve mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4: is a diagrammatic illustration of the manifold applied t9 a compressor unit.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the following description and in the claims parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the drawings more in detail 10 in a position to cooperate with bores 13 and 1930. Serial No. 456,403.

the manifold is shown as comprising a casting 10 (Fig. 2) having a pair of longitudinal bores 11 and 12 formed therein. A pair of vertical bores 13 and 14 extend from the bottom and top of said casting respectively to the plane of bores 11 and 12 to which they are connected by transverse bores 15 and 16 respectively.

' Valves 20 and 21 are associated with casing o 14 respectively. Each of said valves comprise a longitudinal bore 22- in'which a valve plunger 23 is mounted. Said longitudinal bore intersects a transverse bore 2% which is adapted to be held in alignment with bore 13 of casting 10. For this purpose casting 10 is recessed as at 25 to receive a cooperating extension formed on said valve member; Liner 26 is mounted within bore 22 of said valve and forms a seat for valve plunger 23 for closing the valve. When the valve is brought into open position the member 23 seats against a second liner 27 and thereby closes the chamber surrounding the valve stem and prevents pressure from being applied thereto during operation of the device.

Member 23 is threaded in valve 20 in any suitable manner and is provided with a square end 28 by which adjustment may be made.

A valve cap 30 is threaded over the end of said valve for closing the assembly. A hole 31 may be provided .for the insertion of a gauge, or for purposes of inspection or drainage, which hole is normally closed by screw 32. The valve may be threaded as at 33 or otherwise formed to receive a coupling member by which a pipe may be connected thereto. Said valve is secured to casting 10 by a pair of set screws 34 (Fig. 3) which extends through said valve member and into said casting. 1 In Fig. 4 the m-echanismis shown as applied to a refrigerating apparatus comprising a pair of compressor cylinders 10 which are operated by motor L1. Low pressure refrigerating gases derived from a cooling unit (not shown) are applied through pipe 42 to valve 20, thence through bores 24, 13, 15and 11 to pipes 43 which lead to the intake ports of the compressor cylinders 40. I

The compressed gases from the outlet ports of said cylinders are applied through pipes 44 to bore 12 of said manifold, thence through bore 14 to valve 21 from which they are led through pipe 45 to a condenser 46 in which the heat of compression is removed. From the condenser 46 the gases are led through pipe 47 to the expansion valve of the cooling unit.

It is to be understood that pi es 43 and 44' the manifold. This heat transfer serves to cool the compressed gases and thereby assists condenser 46 in removing the heat of compression therefrom. This cooling is accomplished by thecold intake gases which are withdrawn from the cooling unit. By suitably designing the manifold as to rate of flow. of the gases and arrangement of the high pressure and low pressure paths, any desired ifold COIIIPIlSlIlg a metallic member having amount of heat transfer may be obtained.

The valves 20 and 21 may be used to regu late the quantity of gases passed through the manifold and provide a convenient location for the attachment of pressure gauges. The valves are so constructed, however, that the pressure on the valve packing or on the pressure gauges themselves is entirely relieved when the valves .are in full open position,

thereby avoiding the possibility of leakage in'the system.

. A strainer 50 may be inserted in bore13 to prevent any coarse material which may be present in the intake gases from beingv applied to the compressor cylinders and causing injury thereto. This strainer may be remember respectively to the plane of said longitudinal passages and transverse bores interconnecting' each of said vertical passages with one of said longitudinal passages.

3. A combination intake and exhaust manifold comprising a metallic member having a pair of longitudinal passages extendingtherethrough, a pair of vertical passages extending from the top and bottom of said member respectively to the plane of said longitudinal passages, transverse bores interconnecting each of said vertical passages with one of said longitudinal passages, and valves mountd in alignment with said vertical passages and adapted to control the passage of gases therethrough. I

4. A combination intake and exhaust mana pair of passages therethroug h, bores communicating with each of said passages and a screen locatedin one of said bores for screening the gases which are applied thereto. V

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

THOMAS J. FOWLER.

moved for cleaning when desired by closing valve 20 and then removing screws 34, after which the valve may be disconnected from casting 10 to permit the strainer to be withdrawn from bore 13. 2

While certain novel features of the invention have been shown and described and are a pair 0 longitudinal passages extending therethrough in close proximity whereby heat transfertherebetween may be obtained,

a transverse bore communicating with each 

